Soft Tissue Fillers: Juvederm, Belotero, Radiesse, & Sculptra

The visible signs of facial aging occur over time as a result of cumulative sun exposure, heredity, diet, and other detrimental factors such as smoking. As a person ages, the loss of facial fullness, the development of wrinkles, and the deepening of furrows progresses. Injectable fillers can often soften these lines and restore fullness in the face.

Small injections of the filler are placed either in the dermis (the second layer of skin) or in the deeper tissues of the face to accomplish these goals. This type of soft tissue augmentation will not halt the natural aging process, but fillers can help delay the time at which surgical procedures, such as a facelift, may be required. If you wish to change your face more comprehensively, then a facelift, browlift, or eyelift may be a better option for you. In any case, the best candidates for any procedure are those who are physically healthy, have a positive outlook and realistic goals, and who want to improve their appearance for themselves.

What are types of fillers are there?

Collagen is a natural protein that supports the skin. Injectable collagen formulas derived from human dermis include Cosmoderm® or Cosmoplast®. The results may last 2 to 4 months.

Hyaluronic Acid (HA) is a natural substance found in our bodies. It is well suited to plump thin lips and fill facial creases such as nasolabial folds. It may also be appropriate for some surface wrinkles and concave scars. The results may last 6 months or longer, depending on the product. Juvederm and Belotero are examples of HA’s that we use.

Hydroxylapatite is a mineral-like compound found naturally in human bones, suspended in a gel-like formulation. It is the heaviest of facial fillers and is recommended to fill deeper creases such as nasolabial folds, marionette lines and frown lines, as well as to enhance fullness of the cheeks and other facial contours. Radiesse is an example of this type of filler.

Poly-l-Lactic Acid is a biocompatible, biodegradable material that has been widely used for many years in dissolvable stitches, soft tissue implants, and other types of implants. It is injected below the surface of the skin in the area of fat loss. Sculptra Aesthetic® provides a gradual increase in skin thickness. Visible results appear within the first few treatment sessions.

Your Consultation

Although tissue augmentation is a quick, in-office procedure that can produce a marked improvement in restoring facial fullness and a more youthful appearance, effective and safe use requires a physician with specialized training and a thorough understanding of facial anatomy to recommend and inject an appropriate filler.

Choosing a highly-trained physician like Dr. Sholar to treat your face with injectable fillers means that your treatment will be performed by someone who not only has training in injection therapy, but in all types of non-surgical and surgical facial rejuvenation.

Injectables are not cosmetics! Never allow a non-plastic surgery nurse, any physician other than a plastic surgeon or dermatologist, or any other unqualified person to perform injectables on you!

Complications from fillers are uncommon, but could be serious. The risks vary depending on the specific filler used and the relative permanence of the filler substance and include:

Potential infection at the injection site

Fillers that are not completely fluid and contain microscopic granular substances carry a risk of “clumping”

Asymmetry

Bleeding, bruising, and swelling

Skin might die (skin necrosis)

Skin rash, itching and swelling

Skin redness and sensitivity

Under or over-correction of wrinkles

Your Recovery

The results of soft tissue augmentation using injectable fillers are apparent immediately. Your initial appearance after treatment with any filler may include:

Mild swelling or bruising

Temporary numbness or redness

An “over-filled” appearance to treated areas

These conditions can be alleviated by using ice packs and will improve within a matter of hours or just a few days. You will also be instructed how to massage the treated areas to ensure an optimum result.

Results

The results of soft tissue augmentation with injectable fillers are not permanent, even though a filler substance may be considered permanent. The continued aging of your face and variables in the absorption of fillers will affect how long your results last.

Should you choose not to repeat treatment, your appearance will return to its original condition. Plumped lips will lose volume and improved wrinkles, creases, and scars will visibly recess and fully reappear in time.

Your initial treatment will include a complete consultation. Subsequent follow-up procedures may take only a few minutes, as the full process of consultation is not necessary to repeat, although consent is required at each visit.